Author: Nathan Sheridan
Arriving in Cyprus, you feel you have been transported back in time. Older cars, cigarette bars, and fewer chemical additives. In a country surrounded by so much culture and influence, you are unsure how they have maintained such a peaceful atmosphere. The island life is noticeably calmer than the busy Columbus streets I am used to. More people are walking than driving, eating salads over McDonald’s, and even the cats seem friendlier than your average Columbus alley cat. People walk the streets with ease, not rushing towards their next meeting but often minding their own business while hard at work.
On our drive to Paphos, one thing that immediately stood out to me was the vast varieties of greenery that grew around the island. I was used to seeing farmland in Ohio, but it was nothing compared to this. Not as industrialized or deteriorated as the abundant corn field I am familiar with. The plant life extends outside of the farmland and into the city, and on each field experience someone is pointing out a fig, lemon, pomegranate, or carob tree; casually growing along the streets and providing fruit for the people of the area. The integration of plant life plays a large role in the health of its citizens. Each meal I have gotten comes along with a sizable portion of vegetables naturally sourced from the island. This dietary balance provides the citizens with a balanced diet, yet in America fruits and vegetables of this quality are too costly for many of the citizens.
The carob tree is an ancient example of Cyprus’s many natural health benefits. The fruit pods that grow from it have been used for centuries as a healthy and sweet food that comes with medicinal benefits. It has been used as a remedy for problems such as diarrhea, diabetes, heartburn and high cholesterol. They often grow alongside olive trees which are another healthy part of the Mediterranean diet. Another benefit of the carob tree is that it is very drought tolerant, meaning it can grow easily in the dry areas of Cyprus. Incorporating the carob fruit pods, and many of the other island’s fruits, into a daily diet is a major reason why Cyprus has such healthy citizens. If plants like these were more common in the American diet we might see a reduction in obesity and diabetes.
Unfortunately, in America, many people are not open to new cultural experiences. This is where the idea of, “the ugly American” comes from. Many people who would come to visit might be more opposed to such a diet, due to the different flavors and lack of artificial additives. In most places in America, you would not be served a fish with its head and fins still attached. An American seeing this on their plate might lose their appetite and may even throw a fit over such small differences. This could be a contributing cause to the lack of healthy food options in America, as the foods are often more processed and have unnecessary additives to increase flavor.
Coming here I was very aware of the differences and was excited to try new things. I think Americans could take some notes on the Mediterranean diet and how it may affect their overall health, as I know I will be looking out for these foods when I return home.
